Witch Wood
Mage Bark
There's no finer material than Witchwood for a mage's first wand.
Witchwood is the wood harvested from Coven Trees, ideal as a magic conduit. Valued for magical tools, it is often the basis of many items used by mages and arcane scholars alike.
Properties
Characteristics
In its natural state, it resembles spruce wood, although more greyish in tone. Beneath its outer layer, one might see faint hues flow through it, changing constantly.
Magic gets attracted to the wood, acting as a type of conductor. Both active spellcasting and passive magical effects have the same effects, making them a magnet to any form of arcane influence. It may even redirect spells and amplify them while conducting the energy.
Cutting or breaking off chunks of it creates small sparks, too weak to do any major harm. If burned, it unleashes random magic and various other effects.
Origins
Witchwood comes from Coven Trees, found near Aetheryical Hot-Spots and areas with high arcane presence. Harvesting it is often not an easy task for just any lumberjack.
Many of these sites are sacred to either Fae, Witches or druid circles, making cutting them down difficult without it becoming blasphemy. Hence why the few places where they get harvested belong to organisations focused on arcane research instead.
Hazards
Note to self: check what trees the branches come from you use for a campfire.
The danger that Witchwood brings with it is its flammability and the effects it produces when lit. The raw material bursts into all kinds of wild magic, making it unpredictable. One might burst into beautiful colours, others into electric shocks. It might even explode into more fire.
Small dosages are barely a threat, but in entire forests it cause disastrous wildfires. Hence why it is crucial to store it in a safe and fireproof environment.
History & Usage
Cultural History
The usage of Coven Trees for witchwood dates back centuries ago, being the earliest form of harnessing magic. Early Antomniae tribes used it to learn the first spells, using branches to use their capabilities. This might be the basis for modern-day staffs and wands.
While the practise never died, its demand outgrew its supply. Rising civilisations led to the material becoming more rare, making groups step in to secure it for themselves.
It became a privilege to have Witchwood items, at least until groups attempted at planting Coven Trees began. By then, its value slowly dropped as its rarity decreased. Nowadays, it keeps some of its significance, but most mages can afford to use it for their own equipment.
Manufacturing & Products
The wood type gets used in a lot of magical products such as wands and staffs, as it makes a good conductor of spells. Even simple sticks can help mages guide their magic.
Another common item made from witchwood is Witchsticks, made from a Coven Tree's branches. These small rods allow people to cast simple spells by lighting them. Often they get used in simple fireworks and toys, or as emergency tools during exploration.
I like the quote combined with the hazards very much. Yes, it can be a tragedy but just to think about npcs/pcs that doing that stuff accidently (and survived) ... great.